Studying The Effect of Photon Wavelength on Solar Cell Efficiency

This paper evaluates the solar cell performance across different wavelengths. This offers an easy systematic approach to assess the efficiency under different solar spectra. The investigation has been carried out on ideal solar cells made from three different semiconductor materials (Si, GaAs, and Ge). The calculations are based on a single-diode model implemented in a MATLAB/Simulink simulation. The results demonstrate how different spectral behavior is attributed to different solar cells, even if their theoretical efficiency limits (Shockley-Qeuisser limit) are nearly equal. With these valuable insights can be gained on the solar cell's performance under varying spectral conditions, which is crucial for predicting real-world behavior. This work offers valuable guidance for optimizing cell designs and selecting materials for specific applications. © 2024 IEEE.